ICRC, Red Cross urge govt to intensify tracing efforts as affected families seek answers
By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
Yobe State – Nov. 12, 2025.
No fewer than 50 families of missing persons in Yobe State have appealed to the government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts in tracing their loved ones.
The families made the call in Damaturu during the 4th International Conference of Families of Missing Persons, organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
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The three-day conference, which began on November 11, is aimed at connecting affected families and strengthening global efforts to locate missing persons and support their relatives.
Speaking at the event, the Head of ICRC Sub-Delegation in Damaturu, Rashid Hassan, said the conference was designed to amplify the voices of families still living in uncertainty.
“From Damaturu to the rest of the world, we are sharing their stories, strengthening solidarity, and amplifying their voices for the right to know. Together, we stand with families of the missing; their strength reminds us of the enduring power of hope,” he said.
The Yobe State Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Garba Alh. Mai, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the affected families and ensuring their stories reach the global community.
“This effort, carried out by both the Nigerian Red Cross and the ICRC, aims to put smiles on their faces,” Mai said.
Also speaking, the ICRC Protection of Family Links Team Lead in Yobe, Ishaku Luka, said over 23,000 cases of separation and missing persons had been registered across the North-East, with about 2,500 cases in Yobe State alone.
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He noted that Gujba Local Government Area accounted for most of the cases, adding that the ICRC was working to raise awareness about the plight of missing persons while urging stakeholders to take urgent action.
Our correspondent reports that participants in Damaturu joined the international conference virtually, sharing their experiences with delegates across the world.
